Responsible for the Animal Services department veterinary medical work. Performs clinical, laboratory and surgical veterinary services for sheltered animals, including herd health maintenance. Assists in developing, advancing, and implementing shelter medicine protocols and delivers and ensures humane medical treatment of all animals seen in the shelter.
This is a “Mandatory Testing” position that requires Drug Testing.
Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically.
- Coordinates and directs shelter medical operations and ensures sound veterinary medical practices under the direction of the Animal Services Chief.
- Provides medical and surgical care, evaluation, treatment, and sterilization to sheltered animals.
- Evaluates and determines the disposition of incoming animals.
- Performs a high volume of spay/neuter surgeries for animals that are placed for adoption.
- Applies knowledge of veterinary medical practices, administering medication, vaccines, anesthesia, and oral, intra-muscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injections; safe and humane handling and restraining of all types of animals.
- Safely and humanely assists with, or euthanizes, sick and injured animals of a variety of sizes and breeds, in accordance with regulations and standard veterinary procedures.
- Recommends and collaborates with the Animal Services Chief in the formulation of shelter medical objectives, practices, plans and decisions that influence operations to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals.
- Records, controls, and maintains security of federally restricted drugs and barbiturates in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations including biohazardous waste disposal related to the treatment of animals.
- Provides qualified testimony and documentation in court concerning cases of neglect and cruelty, as enforced by Animal Services Officers in accordance with County ordinance and State Statutes.
- Works with Animal Services staff to establish routine health protocols, daily observations of shelter populations for injuries and illness and reporting of incidents to the Animal Services Chief.
- Counsels citizens who adopt pets in post-operative care.
- Trains Animal Services staff on prevention of canine and feline diseases.
- Remains current on the latest procedures and developments regarding the handling, care, and disposal of animals.
- Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.
- Must demonstrate commitment to our mission, vision, values and goals and represent the County in a professional, dignified manner at all times both in actions and appearance.
- May have a role in the County’s disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as designated in the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; may be required to work before, during and/or after an emergency.
- Must be able to meet minimum attendance standards; works rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed.
- May be subject to emergency situations that may require working after hours, weekends and holidays.
- Performs related duties as required.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL, VISUAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:The physical requirements are that of heavy work and include exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching stooping, stretching reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items over 50 pounds; or defending oneself or others against physical attack. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility or dexterity. Required to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of job functions.
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures. Transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors or shades of color.
Requires the expression or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Requires perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that require a range of safety and other precautions where conditions cannot be controlled and/or is exposed to one or more disagreeable conditions such as irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, odors, dust, animal odors, chemicals, etc. more than 50% of the work time.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Knowledge of practices, policies and procedures pertaining to the operation of an Animal Services Facility. Knowledge of state and county animal laws and ordinances; providing medical care and treatment to sheltered animals; rabies identification and other common animal diseases; veterinary medical and surgical practices and procedures; cleaning agents and procedures used in kennels; proper animal handling techniques, microchip scanning.
Required to operate a personal computer, calculator, and word processing, spreadsheet and/or e-mail applications; digital camera; microscope.
Required to enforce state and county animal control laws and ordinances; read for comprehension; express ideas effectively both orally and in writing; make decisions in the absence of the Animal Services Chief that are in the best interest and welfare of the animals and public; establish and maintain working relationship with employees, volunteers and public. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree; supplemented by Two (2) years of experience in veterinary animal services, animal shelter operations, or related field. Must be computer literate. Veterinary medicine practiced in an animal shelter environment is preferred. Lead veterinary or supervisory experience preferred.
LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:Requires a valid driver license at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position. Requires a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Florida and maintain said licenses while employed in this position. Requires a valid Drug Enforcement Administration License and maintain said license while employed in this position.
Position is "Unclassified" and "Exempt"
Applicants must have at least the minimum educational documentation and/or certifications (requested within the job description) uploaded with their application to be eligible for consideration. Documentation may be uploaded at the time of application, scanned and emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered.The information given on your application will be evaluated against the minimum qualifications of the job description. After all applications are evaluated, your name will be placed on the employment list and sent to appropriate hiring authority for consideration.Candidates may be asked to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the position during the interview process.A Drug Free Workplace/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /Veteran's Preference will be given in accordance with Florida Statutes.
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